Monday, May 23, 2011

Two-state solution?

The more I think about it, the more I realize that the two-state solution for Israel and Palestine is a non-starter simply because it will never work. Look at it this way: Two overpopulated, impoverished Arab enclaves separated by an affluent, overly armed and dominant Jewish state. This is a recipe for continued tensions and pent up anger, which can only lead to an eventual explosion of horrific consequences. Israel doesn't want it and, if the Palestinians seem to think they might be better off that way than under their current state of occupation, this is just a delusion away from the despair they're deep into at the present time.

To diffuse tensions and to normalize life for all people involved, the only viable solution is to create one single state that tolerates different ethnic groups, cultures languages and religions as well as also encourages the lower strata of society to better themselves thanks to a fair and healthy emulation amongst all inhabitants. Of course, it would be hard for Israel that would have to renounce sectarianism and undergo the biggest change, but in the long run it would also be the most sustainable solution.

I'm not making that up. Multi-ethnic societies can work; it's been tried and has succeeded in Singapore for instance. The current plan just exists to buy time and quick the can further down the road. It's impractical, doomed to fail and the solution resides in having both communities sharing a common prosperity in a juster society. This will be the best guarantee to promote a lower birth rate for Palestinians, prosperity and peace for all.

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